Writer’s Note, News & Views
With just a month until the expected Disney Parks announcements at the D23 Ultimate Fan-whatever-they’re-calling-the-event-in-Anaheim-formerly-known-as-D23 Expo, I expect the Walt Disney World Resort news will stay fairly quiet in the coming weeks. As mentioned a few times over the past month, we know that the updated “Country Bears Musical Jamboree” officially opens on July 17 at Magic Kingdom. This new/reimagined version of the Country Bears show features country-and-western versions of popular Disney songs including “Try Everything” from Zootopia, and “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, among others. Some previews have been underway in the past week, but I have not been given the opportunity to see it. If you would like to know all about the updated backstories for each of the bears in the show, Disney Parks Blog bares it all.
Having said that about announcements, my expectation was that we really would not hear much future-talk from the whole Disney Parks, Experiences and Products division headed by Josh D’Amaro until the D23 thing. You know that Disney likes to build excitement and anticipation. So it was a bit surprising from a timing perspective that Disney shared earlier this week that the company entered into an expanded agreement with Oriental Land Co., Ltd., the owner and operator of Tokyo Disney Resort, for OLC to build and operate a Disney-branded cruise business in Japan, expected to begin by early 2029. Under the agreement, another Disney Wish-class ship will be constructed at the Meyer Werft shipyard in Papenburg, Germany, and will registered and based in Japan year-round. So, like the Tokyo Disney Resort, this new DCL ship will be based on Walt Disney Imagineering designs with modifications for the Japanese audience, and it will be owned and operated by OLC. Like its sister ships, the new ship is expected to be approximately 140,000 gross tons and powered by liquefied natural gas, with about 1,250 staterooms.
While the timing of that announcement was a bit of a surprise in that it was not held until the D23 presentations, the announcement itself does not seem all that surprising for a few reasons. First, after 25 years of business, DCL is now committed to entering the Asian market with the upcoming launch of Disney Adventure to be home-ported in Singapore in 2025–that’s the partially completed vessel of a completely different design than all the other Disney ships that Disney bought at a substantial discount when its original builder went bankrupt and decided to complete as a brand new DCL ship. Second, OLC has successfully owned and operated Tokyo Disney Resort for over 40 years now, and Disney receives a steady flow of intellectual property licensing fees and miscellaneous marketing, advisory, and management-related fees tied to that, plus, let’s not forget the hefty service fees it charges OLC for Walt Disney Imagineering design services every time Tokyo Disney Resort decides to expand its offerings. While the intricate details of the Disney-OLC agreements are not publicly known, OLC likely has a host of Disney IP-rights that gives OLC exclusive use for certain purposes in the Japanese market. It would not be surprising that DCL’s entry into the Asian cruise market either created a grey area under the old terms of the licenses: though Singapore is over 3,000 miles from Tokyo, might there have been territorial licensing issues if Disney Cruise Line want to advertise Disney Adventure sailings the Japanese market for sailings on DCL, or sell Adventures by Disney combined packages that sail Adventure and visit Tokyo Disney Resort? And finally, even absent one of my theorized licensing issues, like quite a few other ventures by Disney in recent years (for example, Living by Disney), a DCL ship owned and operated by OLC seems like a very low-risk venture on Disney’s part–OLC is responsible for the capital investment of building the ship; OLC is responsible for day-to-day operations and associated expenses; Disney receives design fees (both for the physical aspects of the ship, and the Disney Live Entertainment shows created for the ship), plus, probably both guaranteed intellectual property license payments, marketing, advisory, and management-related fees, and some share of profits. Disney’s risks in the venture are seemingly limited to brand reputation and the kind of exposure any vendor has in getting its invoices paid (or, if Disney is lending any of the financing, the risks associated with that).
So, with little or no money coming out of Disney’s coffers for the Japanese DCL venture, just how is Disney planning to spend those billions of dollars on expansion of Disney Parks and Experiences that we keep hearing about? We know that Disney has committed to spending about $8 billion on expansion of Walt Disney World Resort over the next decade. We know that Disney has talked in the abstract about the biggest-ever expansion of Magic Kingdom with a project “beyond Big Thunder Mountain” (with internet rumors swirling that Big Thunder Mountain Railroad itself is expected to close for an extensive refurbishment in the not-too-distant, but unannounced, future), and Disney has talked with a tiny bit more detail about the reimagination of Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s DinoLand U.S.A. into a Tropical-Americas themed land featuring attractions inspired by Coco and Indiana Jones. I would also expect Disney will announce at least one more resort hotel project (probably more, possibly Disney Vacation Club or combined hotel/DVC) for completion over the next decade.
The big announcements are coming Saturday, August 10 at the Honda Center, though Disney’s sentence announcing it puts “surprise stars and special guests” ahead of the news. Disney says, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products chairman “Josh D’Amaro will welcome fans as he takes the stage with surprise stars and special guests for a live celebration of the music and creativity that power our stories and — of course — news and updates about projects in development around the world. The future is bright for Disney Experiences and this can’t-miss showcase will show fans what’s on the horizon and beyond.”
Note: Though the Parks/Experiences presentation has been named “Horizons,” don’t assume that a pavilion with that name is coming back to EPCOT. In fact, when I saw the image, my first thought was the old adage, “the future is always ahead of us,” which means we never really reach that point, do we?
The things we know about so far likely do not add up to $8 billion on their own–so where else will capital be designated at Walt Disney World? Another transportation system? Another shopping/entertainment district? Both seem strong possibilities, as transportation is a constant challenge, and finding third parties to lease space in Disney shopping districts does not seem to be a high hurdle, especially as compared to America’s other shopping malls.
Disney’s land-use agreements with the government board that now oversees the property permits another water park or a fifth theme park, and mass media outlets have put a lot of speculative hype on the latter of those–but neither seem particularly likely to me at the moment. Disney has not operated two water parks simultaneously since before the global pandemic started in 2020, and, indeed, it has not operated three water parks for well-over a couple of decades, since River Country closed. As for a fifth theme park gate, there remains substantial expansion space at each of the four existing parks, and, to me, the thought of trying to build up the workforce dedicated to another new park in the very busy Central Florida theme park capital of the world (that will get even more competitive for workers as Universal’s Epic Universe opens next year) seems a much larger hurdle than expanding infrastructure in place and then finding additional cast and support personnel location-by-location.
Personally, what I would really like to see is a humble admission that the EPCOT “historic” transformation is not “done” (if Disney cannot be humble on stage, then take a chapter out of Steve Jobs’ legacy and call it, “just one more thing,” then make it bigger than all the other announcements combined)! I will not retread here what I wrote last month following the invited media event for the opening of Communicore Hall and debut of Tiana’s Bayou Adventure. Undeniably, EPCOT still has plenty of physical room originally designated for expansion (plus the closed Wonders of Life pavilion that had been designated to become the Play! pavilion before that project was abandoned), and the Imagineering archives have plenty of partially-shared but never built projects plus plenty more ideas it likely has never shared that can be reshaped for the late 2020s and beyond. Beyond redoing DinoLand, Disney’s Animal Kingdom also has an entire section for another “land” beyond Asia that had been set aside for future development but has remained as just backstage area since Asia opened just after the park did, and the park built a huge amphitheater on the Discovery River for “Rivers of Light” that is now used for nothing more than stroller parking and for guests to rest (bake in the sunshine).
What else is coming to Walt Disney World next? DOLE Whip Day. The third Thursday of July, July 18th, starts the fourth annual celebration and it runs through July 21. MousePlanet has been invited by Disney to a preview “DOLE Whip Dash experience” on July 16th, with stops at Magic Kingdom, EPCOT, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney Springs, and Disney’s Polynesian Village Resort. A correspondent friend of MousePlanet will provide snapshots and video on our Instagram (and other social media channels). In the meantime, Disney Parks Blog has a Foodie Guide from all across the domestic Disney Parks and Experiences locations, and a recipe for Pineapple Upside Down Cake you can try at home.
Remember, the new Lightning Lane Pass sales (advance experience reservation system) I wrote about last week goes live on July 24th, replacing Genie+.
Before wrapping up, just a reminder that tickets for the second annual edition of Disney’s Hollywood Studios after-hours holiday party events, Disney Jollywood Nights, are now on sale on the Disney World website at DisneyWorld.com/Jollywood or by calling 407-934-7639. Ticket prices are $159 to $179 per ticket, plus tax (prices vary by event date and Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10/ticket). Tickets are also on sale for Magic Kingdom’s traditional holiday after-hours party events, Mickey’s Very Merry Christmas Party at DisneyWorld.com/VeryMerry or by calling 407-934-7639. Its ticket prices are $169 to $219 per ticket, plus tax (prices vary by event date, and Passholders and Disney Vacation Club Members can save $10/ticket on select dates).
And, yes, it’s summer and it’s Tropical Storm season. Summer in Central Florida is between hot and very hot and humid, with a high likelihood of a daily thunderstorm or two. Be prepared. Need I say more?
Give Kids the World Village Celebrates Opening of New STEAM Activity Center
Here at MousePlanet, we often talk about Give Kids The World Village, the 89-acre nonprofit resort in Kissimmee, FL, that provides children with critical illnesses and their families from around the world with magical week-long wish vacations at no cost. We do so because its mission is important, and, indeed, it is supported by Disney, Universal, and many other members of the hospitality and entertainment industries throughout Central Florida. Disney cast members, Universal team members, and many other members of the Central Florida community volunteer their time and resources to benefit the organization’s mission, and you can read more about it (and discover ways to contribute) on its website.
Yesterday, on July 10, we were invited over to the Village to witness the ribbon cutting for the opening of Mayor Clayton’s WonderLab: a one-of-a-kind, immersive STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Math) activity center. This new center will be a focal point for creativity and exploration for those visiting the Village, as the WonderLab is designed to inspire curiosity, foster collaboration, and “spread childlike wonder to visitors of the Village.”
The new center includes six unique spaces to engage families in a wide spectrum of fun and fascinating activities. The Village describes the areas as follows:
- Lab Access is the futuristic entrance where families are welcomed by an animatronic robot dressed like Mayor Clayton, the Village’s six-foot mayor bunny, and learn about the myriad of activities and state-of-the-art learning tools available each day.
- The Hub showcases the energy source of the entire WonderLab, the Brilliance Bottler, which is powered by kids’ wonder, imagination and possibility.
- Tech 101 offers hands-on activities including 3D printing, stop motion video creation, button and sticker-making, and weaving using 3D printed handlooms.
- Built for collaboration and discovery, the Test & Try Lab is highlighted by two Spark-e animatronics donated by Garner Holt Education Through Imagination which children can learn to operate. The Test & Try Lab also features paper airplane R&D, spherical robot obstacle courses, hydraulic machine building and printmaking.
- The Puzzle Portal is a 270-degree round room designed for collaborative games and vertical puzzle building such as magnetic marble runs.
- And the Volts & Bolts Studio is a hands-on exhibit where families can learn how animatronics are built from the ground up using tools and tiki bird animatronic kits from Garner Holt.
For those that remember what EPCOT’s Innoventions was like at its best, this center reminded me of that. During the open house that followed the ribbon cutting, the team at the Village set up a number of stations showing off the kinds of hands-on activities that some of the presenters at the old Innoventions would have been proud of, and the kids at the Village that engage with the activities, often will create something they can keep–like something that has been 3D printed or a stop-motion video recorded on a tablet.
Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining Returns with Record 150 Restaurants
For nearly two decades, restaurants around Orlando annual have participated in Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining program. The participating restaurants offer three-course, prix-fixe dinners at “exceptional” prices. Every meal served supports charities, which this year is described as follows on the MagicalDining.com website:
In 2024, donated funds will focus on The Mustard Seed of Central Florida, which is helping rebuild the lives of families and individuals who have suffered disaster or personal tragedy by providing household furnishings and clothing while being environmentally responsible to the Central Florida community.
As the only furniture and clothing bank in the region, The Mustard Seed serves over 3,000 individuals annually, transforming houses into homes and giving those in need a fresh start. In addition to providing items for reuse, The Mustard Seed recycles unusable items — creating a more sustainable community. Since 2011, their innovative recycling program has deconstructed over 160,000 mattresses, repurposing components and diverting nearly 4 million cubic feet of waste from landfills, significantly reducing environmental impact.
Proceeds will empower The Mustard Seed to enhance their vital furniture program, which supplies gently used furniture to families and individuals recovering from homelessness, natural disasters or personal tragedies.
To ensure this donation has widespread impact throughout our community, Visit Orlando will also award a $3,000 donation to one local nonprofit in each of Orange County’s six commission districts that also support this cause.
This year, the event runs August 16th through September 30th. Like last year, participating restaurants offer either $40 or $60 menus. Each of the offered three-course dinners includes the choice of an appetizer, entree and dessert from the restaurant’s Visit Orlando’s Magical Dining menu. Tax and gratuity are not included. The organizers ask that diners please tip based on the total meal value.
One of the newest restaurants at Disney Springs, Summer House on the Lake is participating this year. Other Disney Springs restaurants participating include Jaleo, Maria & Enzo’s, and The Edison. Amare at The Walt Disney World Swan Reserve is also participating, and there are several dozen more in the Lake Buena Vista, Dr. Phillips, and I-Drive area, all within a fairly short ride of Walt Disney World Resort (plus more Downtown Orlando and throughout the area getting up to that 150 participants number). For all the participating restaurants and their special menus, visit MagicalDining.com.
This & That & Reminders…
…NEW: Disney is now taking applications through noon Eastern time this Saturday, July 13, 2024, for the 2025 planDisney panel. Disney looks for “guests who enjoy sharing their Disney vacation planning knowledge and excellent tips with others.” Disney says that “Panelists are chosen for their ability to efficiently answer guests’ questions in one of four specialties: Walt Disney World Resort, Disneyland Resort, Disney Cruise Line or Disney Vacation Club. Specialist panelists even answer questions in four languages: English, Spanish, French and Portuguese.” Disney’s search for new panelists is an application process that consists of three rounds: a series of short answer questions, a brief video submission and a virtual interview. More details, applications and eligibility requirements are available at planDisneySearch.com.
…FOLLOW UP AND NEW: 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy attendee Te’Lario Watkins II joined investor Daymond John as his personal guest at a recent taping of “Shark Tank.” Sixteen year-old Watkins was inspired by Daymond John “to supercharge Watkins’ entrepreneur dreams” after interacting with him as one of the celebrity mentors at the 2024 Disney Dreamers Academy at Walt Disney World Resort this spring. Watkins has run his own mushroom farm, Tiger Mushroom Farms, since he was seven years old and started his own non-profit, Garden Club Project, to address food insecurity in his community. Last week, Disney announced that applications are now open for the 2025 event at www.DisneyDreamersAcademy.com, where high school students looking to achieve their dreams can be nominated or apply themselves. Disney Dreamers Academy is an annual four-day transformational program at Walt Disney World Resort in Florida, designed to broaden career and personal development for a select group of 100 teens from Black and underrepresented communities across America. The 100 selected students receive an all-expense-paid trip, along with one parent or guardian, to Walt Disney World Resort to experience a combination of inspiration, education and fun at The Most Magical Place on Earth. MousePlanet has been hosted by Disney at several past editions of Disney Dreamers Academy and has reported on them in past Walt Disney World Resort Updates.
…REMINDER: The restaurants of Disney Springs are celebrating the Flavors of Summer this month and through August 11. There’s a whole Disney Parks Blog foodie guide to check out too.
…REMINDER: Guests at Raglan Road Irish Pub & Restaurant this summer at Disney Springs can also enjoy the new “Summer Lovin’ Menu” offerings from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. The seasonal menu features four Raglan Road appetizers and five cocktail specials at just $10 each. Nine select entrees at $20 each include the restaurant’s famous Fish N Chips, Shepherd’s Pie (both Shepherd’s Pie to Try and This Shepherd Went Vegan pie), The OMG Burger, and That Salad with Chicken. Starters like the buttermilk-marinated Bang Bang Chicken or a Soul Soup & Salad Combo paired with the pub’s Irish Gunpowder gin-based Blathanna Blossom, the vodka-forward Blueberry Mint Lemonade, and other super summer sippers are also available. The Summer Lovin’ Menu will be served throughout summer at all indoor Raglan Road bars and tables, on the patio, and at the Hole in the Wall bar. The full All-Day Menu will be available daily as well.
…NEW: Morimoto Asia at Disney Springs is revamping their offerings and discounts this summer! First, new signature pan-Asian cuisine options are available for weekday lunch, available 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Highlights of the new lunch menu include:
- Katsudon – Panko breaded pork skirt, dashi soy, organic egg, scallions and pickled ginger on top of house-polished white rice. $21
- Poke Bowl – Tuna, salmon, hamachi marinated in soy, sesame, crunchy garlic chili over sushi rice. $24
- Asian Salad – Mesclun and baby iceberg lettuce, cucumbers, tomato, red onion, orange segment, apple, wonton chips and ginger dressing. $15
Options to add protein: chicken for $9, oishii shrimp for $10, bulgogi beef for $10, calamari for $9 or fried tofu for $5 - Pork Katsu Curry Set Japanese-style curry rice with pork katsu, Kanikama roll or fried chicken dumpling, and Miso soup or house salad with yuzu dressing. $24
- Orange Chicken Set Orange chicken and choice of white or brown rice, Kanikama roll or fried chicken dumpling, and miso soup or house salad with yuzu dressing. $24.
- Ramen Set – Choice of Tonkotsu or Duck Ramen, Kanikama roll or fried chicken dumpling, and house salad with yuzu dressing. $22.
Disney Annual Passholders will receive a 20% off discount on lunch, both weekdays and weekends, through the end of September.
There are also new dessert items, available at both lunch and dinner:
- Matcha Mousse – Matcha mousse, raspberry sponge cake and raspberry jam. $13
- Nama Chocolate – Chocolate truffle squares, caramel cream, crunchy puff rice, and caramel pearls. $13
- Japanese Souffle Cheesecake – strawberry, shiso and strawberry sorbet. $14
…REMINDER: Walt Disney World Golf will be hosting the 2024 PGA Family Golf Championship at Disney’s Palm Golf Course, September 28th & 29th, 2024. The PGA Family Golf Championship will bring together teams of 2 to 4 players, who are all biologically or legally related, to compete in two days of weekend fun and create great memories and moments with their loved ones. PGA Family Golf brings family members of all ages and skill levels together on multi-generational teams, and programs are hosted exclusively by PGA of America Golf Professionals and LPGA Professionals. Learn more on the official Walt Disney World Golf Blog.
…REMINDER: Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin Food & Wine Classic celebrates 15 Years this year with the return of its Food & Wine Classic on Friday, November 15 and Saturday, November 16, 2024. The event will run an additional half-hour longer each evening than in the past, giving guests more time to enjoy the sips, flavors and music. Tickets are available now at SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com, including a bundle offering with a 15 percent discount for tickets for both Friday and Saturday night. The discounted bundle gives attendees a taste of everything the Food & Wine Classic has to offer, with different menu items featured each night. Additionally, favorite stations from years past will make an exclusive return, paying tribute to the event’s early years.
More information about the 2024 event, including educational seminars, will be released soon. For the latest information or to purchase tickets, guests can visit SwanDolphinFoodAndWineClassic.com, like swandolphinfwc on Facebook, or call 1-888-828-8850. Discounted hotel packages are available with proof of ticket purchase.
…NEW: Before the fall comes around, Florida residents and Disney Annual Passholders can save up to 30% off regular rates on hotel stays at the Walt Disney World Swan and Dolphin. Guests can visit swandolphin.com/offers/ for more information or to book.
…NEW: On Thursday, August 22, from 6 to 8:30 p.m., The Edison at Disney Springs will host an special evening, featuring beverage creations and a bit of friendly rivalry amongst Central Florida’s top mixologists, like Blake Cain from Mather’s Social Gathering, Letisha Diaz from Prato in Winter Park and Chelsea Gilpin from The Edison. During the event, guests will sample and vote on cocktails crafted by local mixologists, while enjoying expertly prepared bites from various food stations. Alongside the culinary experience, the night will feature a silent auction with the proceeds benefiting Give Kids the World Village! Tickets are $85++ per person and extremely limited. Guests must be 21+ to attend. Visit this page on Tock for further information and to purchase tickets.
…REMINDER: Give Kids the World Village, the 89-acre, whimsical nonprofit resort in Kissimmee that provides cost-free week-long trips to critically ill children and their families, announced that its Gingerbread Run is returning this fall and will take place at night – under the holiday lights! On Saturday, November 23, you’ll have the chance to run, roll or stroll a 5K or family fun run through the whimsical storybook Village illuminated by thousands of holiday lights. Information and registration is available on this page of the Village’s website.
And, as mentioned earlier in this week’s Update, there are other ways to support the Village at live events even if you are not in Central Florida. Coasting for Kids: Summer Inversion Tour offers one-of-a-kind behind-the-scenes experiences and opportunities to witness the magic behind classic coasters at a number of parks around the country, with proceeds supporting the Village. Visit this page of GKTW.org, choose your parks, learn the details and register for the limited spots.
Views of EPCOT’s Fourth of July Celebration
I made a late-in-the-day decision (after the usual early evening thunderstorms passed) to head over to EPCOT to celebrate American Independence by watching “Luminous: The Symphony of Us” and the special presentation of “The Heartbeat of Freedom” fireworks from Japan pavilion’s big square on July 4th. If you do not always know, the topography of that square at Japan pavilion is such that you can stand fairly far back from the World Showcase Lagoon, and still get a great view while not being shoulder-to-shoulder with lots of guests. On the night of July 4th this year, it had the added benefit of being one of the best places to see the presentation of “Heartbeat of Freedom,” since most of its pyrotechnics were launched from backstage of the pavilion and its neighbor, The American Adventure. From several of the other fan site’s posts I’ve seen on social media, their choice of watching the fireworks from the usual prime viewing area of World Showcase Plaza (and probably camping out there a good part of the day, or at least, after it stopped raining) allowed a good view of Luminous but pretty much no view of “The Heartbeat of Freedom” because the smoke from the Luminous finale blocked views across the Lagoon. So, one more tip for those of you having read this far: always get a sense of which way the wind is blowing by the torches around the lagoon to try to judge where the fireworks smoke will go!
EPCOT presented “The Heartbeat of Freedom” as a celebration of American Independence on July 4, 2024. Video by Alan S. Dalinka.
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Resort Reservations, Ticket Advice & Special Offers
Note: MousePlanet does not edit past Updates to reflect price increases; for up-to-date prices, check the most recent Walt Disney World Resort Update.
The 4-day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket is $235 ($59 per day), plus tax, and offers admission to one theme park per day. The ticket is valid through September 28, 2024, and park reservations are required. The ticket can be used on consecutive or non-consecutive days, and there is no fuse, so you can use the first admission in April and space out your remaining visits over the summer.
A 3-day version of the ticket is also available for $219 ($73 per day).
Both of these tickets also offer optional upgrades:
- Park Hopper Option
—$40 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit more than one theme park on the same day. - Water Park and Sports Option
—$35 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit one theme park per day. Plus, get a certain number of visits to a water park, golf course or miniature golf course based on the length of your ticket. For example, if you purchase a 3-Day Florida Resident Discover Disney Ticket with the Water Park and Sports option, you can visit a Walt Disney World theme park on 3 days with an advance theme park reservation—and visit a Disney water park on 3 additional days by September 28, 2024. - Park Hopper Plus Option
—$55 More Per Ticket, Plus Tax.
Visit more than one theme park on the same day. Plus, get a certain number of visits to a water park, golf course or miniature golf course based on the length of your ticket. This option is a combination of the Park Hopper option and the Water Park and Sports option.
It really is important to stress the necessity for making your park reservations as soon as you complete your purchase. Disney is only setting aside a limited number of reservations for this ticket type each day, and states, “Reservations may be unavailable for any particular date or park, especially as you get closer to the date of visit or ticket expiration date.”
If you are not a Florida Resident, or you are, but park reservations are not available for the dates you want to visit, Disney is also offering the 4-Day, 4-Park Magic Ticket from $99 Per Day, Plus Tax (Total Price from $396, Plus Tax). The 4-Park Magic Ticket includes one admission to each of the 4 Walt Disney World theme parks—Magic Kingdom, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, EPCOT and Disney’s Hollywood Studios—for a total of 4 admissions, on 4 separate days. Limit one admission per theme park, one theme park per day. This is a date-based ticket, so it does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park, but you must pick a start date through September 22, 2024, and the ticket must be used within 7 days of the selected start date. This ticket cannot be used to enter the same theme park more than once.
If you are willing to skip Magic Kingdom, Disney is also offering a Special 3-Day, 3-Park Ticket to Disney’s Hollywood Studios, EPCOT and Disney’s Animal Kingdom only, starting from $89 per day, plus tax (total price starting from $267, plus tax). This is also a date-based ticket that does not require a theme park reservation to enter a park, but you must pick a start date through September 24, 2024, and the ticket must be used within 5 days of the selected start date.
Disney+ subscribers can get a FREE dining plan when purchasing a non-discounted 4-night, 4-day Walt Disney Travel Company package that includes a room at a select Disney Resort hotel and theme park ticket with a Park Hopper option. This offer is valid for arrivals most nights through September 30, 2024. Visit DisneyWorld.com/SpecialOffers for additional offer details!
Disney Rewards Visa Card users can get a free dining plan when using the card to purchase a non-discounted 4-night/4 day Walt Disney Travel Company Package including room at select hotels and tickets with Park Hopper Option for arrivals most nights through July 31, September 1 – 7, and December 9 – 21, 2024. More details, restrictions, information, and the opportunity to book are on this page of the DisneyWorld website.
Florida residents can save up to 30% on rooms at select Disney Resort hotels, valid for stays most nights through October 3, 2024. Which resort qualifies for which discount and booking opportunities are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
Details and more special offers are available on this page of DisneyWorld.com.
MousePlanet’s travel partner Get Away Today is available to help you book rooms and packages.
REMINDER: Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages can now be booked completely on its website! No cumbersome quotes needed! Simply compare all your favorite Walt Disney World Resort hotels and Get Away Today’s hand selected off-property hotels in a few clicks, and then customize for your included tickets for your vacation.
Get Away Today’s Walt Disney World Resort vacation packages now have the option to add Layaway Plans, which allow you to pay the total balance up to eight days prior to travel. You can also add their popular “Peace of Mind Plan” when booking a Walt Disney World Resort Hotel, which allows any reschedules and cancellations up to five days prior to travel with no penalty.
When booking with Get Away Today, all Walt Disney World Resort on-site packages include Get Away Today’s e-concierge, which includes its Best Price Guarantee, Dining Reservation Reminders, access to their Concierge Team email for help before and during your vacation, and more.
Looking to go beyond Walt Disney World Resort when visiting Central Florida? Check out Get Away Today’s Universal Orlando Resort ticket offers too.
Only purchase Disney theme park tickets directly from Disney, an authorized seller, or a travel agency like MousePlanet travel partner Get Away Today! As always, we remind our readers that Walt Disney World Resort theme park tickets are rarely offered at deep discounts unless you are a resident of Florida or eligible for U.S. Military Personnel benefits. Historically, non-Florida residents tend to benefit the most by purchasing tickets in advance (and, of course, being mindful of the rules relevant to those tickets). Don’t get scammed! Never buy tickets from an unofficial or secondary outlet, such as through eBay or Craigslist. Never rent or purchase tickets from people approaching you outside Disney property stating they have remaining days or leftover tickets. This practice is against the terms of use for Walt Disney World Theme Park admissions, and may result in denial of entry. There is no way to determine if these tickets are valid until you try to use them to enter the parks.
